







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | |
| It sounds like a good deal. | |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | |
| I don't think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Do you have their number? | |
| Of course, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | |
| He is a Chow Chow. | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Do you know her well? | |